Cosmetic case with interchangeable inserts

Abstract: The cosmetic case has a tray (2) which is bordered by side walls (3, 3'). In the tray (2) mounts are designed for two inserts. Each mount comprises a recess (12) in the side wall (3'), an opposing first intermediate wall (13) and two second intermediate walls (14) opposing one another. The second intermediate walls (14) also comprise reinforcements (15) in the form of ribs which are provided on the sides facing one another of the intermediate walls (14). The reinforcements (15) effect a firm clamping fit of the interchangeable insert in the intermediate walls.

Description: The invention relates to a cosmetic case with interchangeable inserts which allow the user to substitute various cosmetics for one another, such as eye-shadow or powder, according to individual taste and needs or to replace cosmetics that are used up. It is known to fix interchangeable inserts in a cosmetic case such that they can be removed. EP-A-0 519 482 discloses a cosmetic case with interchangeable inserts with an underpart in which a tray with side walls and a bottom is designed and an insert with first to fourth side walls and a bottom, wherein two opposing first and second side walls comprise lateral first and second projections projecting from their upper edge of the tray. The tray comprises also a recess in a side wall of the tray or a vertical first intermediate wall on the bottom of the tray. The height of said intermediate wall being lower than the upper edge of the side wall of the tray. FR-A-445 672 discloses a cosmetic case with interchangeable inserts with an underpart in which a tray with side walls and a bottom is designed and several inserts with a circular side wall and a bottom, wherein the wall comprises a lateral projection projecting from the upper edge in each mount of the tray, wherein each side wall of the tray comprises two recesses. In contrast, the object underlying the present invention is to provide an improved cosmetic case with interchangeable inserts which has a particularly simple design and guarantees particularly easy replacement of the inserts. This object is achieved with the features of the claims. The solution of the invention is based on the idea of arranging at least one intermediate wall in a tray of a cosmetic case for mounting an insert and providing the adjacent side wall of the tray with a recess. The insert comprises projections on two opposing sides which can be mounted into the recess of the side wall of the tray and on an intermediate wall opposing the recess. The insert is held in a snug fit by at least one intermediate wall and the side wall of the tray and can be easily lifted out at the projections for replacement. The invention has the following advantages: The underpart of the cosmetic case can be produced very easily and in one piece in a single operation. Additional mounting parts, such as clamping devices, are not necessary. In the following the invention is illustrated in more detail by means of drawings. Fig. 1a shows a top view of an embodiment according to the invention of the underpart of a cosmetic case with mounts for the inserts, Fig. 1b shows a cross section along line A, A' in Fig. 1a, Fig. 2a shows a top view of an embodiment of an insert according to the invention, Fig. 2b shows a cross section along line B, B' in Fig. 2a. Fig. 3 shows a cross section along line C, C' in Fig. 1a with an interchangeable insert, and Fig. 4 shows an enlarged cross section along line D, D' in Fig. 2a. Fig. 1a shows a top view of an embodiment of the underpart 1 of a cosmetic case according to the present invention. The recesses 16 and 17 are provided for mounting or closing the lid (not shown) of the cosmetic case. The cosmetic case has a tray 2 which is bordered by side walls 3, 3'. In the tray 2 mounts are designed for two inserts. Each mount comprises a recess 12 in the side wall 3', an opposing first intermediate wall 13 and two second intermediate walls 14 opposing one another. The second intermediate walls 14 also comprise reinforcements 15 in the form of ribs which are provided on the sides facing one another of the intermediate walls 14. Fig. 1b shows a cross section along line A, A' through the underpart 1 with the side walls 3, 3' of the tray and the bottom of the tray 18. The first intermediate wall 13 is lower than the upper edge of the side walls 3, 3' by the height of the recess 12. Below the plane of projection is one of the second intermediate walls 14 which are of the same height as the side walls 3, 3'. Figs. 2a and 2b represent an embodiment of an insert 4 according to the present invention. This comprises side walls 5, 6, 7, 8 and a bottom 11. Lateral projections 9 and 10 are designed in the upper part of the side walls 5 and 6. When the inserts are inserted the projection 9 rests in the recess 12 and the projection 10 on the first intermediate wall 13 of the underpart 1. The bottom 11 of the insert 4 is preferably spaced apart from the bottom 18 of the tray 2 e.g. in order to accommodate production tolerances. The second intermediate walls 14 hold the insert 4 laterally whereby the slightly elastic reinforcements (ribs) 15 press against sides 7 and 8 of the insert. The projections 9 and 10 can be designed such that they project laterally over the side wall 3' and the first intermediate wall 13 respectively. Fig. 3 shows a cross section along line C, C' in Fig. 1a with a cut interchangeable insert 4. The cross section of the insert 4 corresponds to that of Fig. 4. The reinforcements 15 effect a firm clamping fit of the insert 4 in the intermediate walls. Fig. 4 shows an enlarged cross section along line D, D' in Fig. 2a. Thereby the side walls 7, 8 and the bottom 11 of the insert 4 are cut. The side walls 7, 8 have on the outside slight inclinations 19 and 20 in the lower and upper part, respectively, in order to facilitate the insertion of the insert 4 past the reinforcements 15 and in order to hold it firmly against said reinforcements in a clamping fit to prevent it from slipping upwards. The side wall 3' of the tray below the recess 12, the first intermediate wall 13 and the second intermediate walls 14 preferably run along the sides adjacent to the insert 4 at an angle slanted outwards by 2° in relation to the perpendicular, whereby the first to fourth side walls 5, 6, 7, 8 of the insert 4 are slanted complementarily. This improves guidance and makes insertion easier. When replacing an insert 4, the insert is simply lifted up with two fingers on the projections 9 and 10 and another insert is held at the projections 9 and 10 and pressed down into the mounts into a snug fit. Other embodiments are also possible according to the invention. Besides the rectangular embodiments of the inserts and their mounts according to Figures 1a to 2b round or oval inserts and correspondingly adapted round or oval mounts can e.g. also be provided. Furthermore, an embodiment according to the invention is also possible wherein the first intermediate wall 13 is replaced by the opposing tray side wall 3 provided with a recess analogous to recess 12. In addition the mounts for inserts according to the invention can be arranged in the underpart and in the lid of a cosmetic case. The inserts according to the invention with the mounts according to the invention can be arranged optionally in various numbers in any embodiment of cosmetic cases.

Claims: Cosmetic case with interchangeable inserts (4) with: a) an underpart (1) in which a tray (2) with side walls (3, 3') and a bottom (18) is designed, b) several inserts (4) with first to fourth side walls (5, 6, 7, 8) and a bottom (11), wherein two opposing first and second side walls (5, 6) comprise lateral first and second projections (9, 10) projecting from their upper edge in each mount of the tray (2), wherein the mount comprises: b1) a recess (12) in a side wall (3') of the tray (2), said recess being adapted to the first side wall projection (9) of the insert (4), b2) a vertical first intermediate wall (13) on the bottom (18) of the tray (2) opposing the first recess (12), the height of said intermediate wall being lower than the upper edge of the side wall (3, 3') of the tray (2) by the height of the second side wall projection (10) of the insert (4), and wherein the tray side wall (3') with the recess (12) and the first intermediate wall (13) hold the first and second side walls (5, 6) of the insert (4) in a snug fit. Cosmetic case according to claim 1, characterized in that the mount additionally comprises two second intermediate walls (14) perpendicular to the bottom (18) of the tray (2), said intermediate walls extending between the lateral edges of the recess (12) and the lateral edges of the first intermediate wall (13) and additionally holding the third and fourth side wall (7, 8) of the insert (4) in a snug fit. Cosmetic case according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the side wall (3') below the recess (12) and/or the first intermediate wall (13) comprise reinforcements (15) on the sides adjacent to the insert (4). Cosmetic case according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the second intermediate walls (14) comprise reinforcements (15) on the sides adjacent to the insert (4). Cosmetic case according to claim 4, characterized in that the insert (4) has two inclinations (19, 20) on each of its third and fourth side walls (7, 8), said side walls being adjacent to the reinforcements (15). Cosmetic case according to claim 3, 4 or 5, characterized in that the reinforcements (15) are ribs running parallel to the lower edge of the recess (12) and the upper edge of the first intermediate wall (13) or parallel to the upper edges of the second intermediate walls (14). Cosmetic case according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the first projection (9) and the second projection (10) of the insert (4) in the mount project laterally over the side wall (3') and the first intermediate wall (13) respectively. Cosmetic case according to any one of claims 2 to 7, characterized in that the upper edges of the second intermediate walls (14) are level with the side walls (3, 3') of the tray (2). Cosmetic case according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the bottom (11) of the insert (4) in the mount is spaced apart from the bottom (18) of the tray (2). Cosmetic case according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that at least one side wall (3') below the recess (12), a first intermediate wall (13) or one of the second intermediate walls (14) on the sides adjacent to the insert (4) are slanted outwards by 2° in relation to the perpendicular and that first to fourth side walls (5, 6, 7, 8) of the insert (4) are slanted complementarily. Cosmetic case according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the inserts (4) have a rectangular form and the side wall (3'), the first intermediate wall (13) and/or the second intermediate walls (14) of the tray (2) are adapted to this form. Cosmetic case according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the inserts (4) have a round or oval form and the side wall (3'), the first intermediate wall (13) and/or the second intermediate walls (14) of the tray (2) are adapted to this form.

Inventors: BLACHUT LONGIN, BLACHUT, LONGIN
Applicants: LAFFON S P A, LAFFON S.P.A.
Application year: 1994
Main classification: A45D40
IPC codes: A45D40